Other melodic devices
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify a range of common melodic devices, including ornamentation, imitation and countermelodies.
Key learning points
- Composers use different melodic devices to develop and enhance their melodies.
- Ornamentation is a common melodic device in many styles.
- Common ornaments are trills, grace notes, turns and mordents.
- Imitation is a device where a part of a melody is copied in another part immediately or shortly afterwards.
- A countermelody is a contrasting second melody. It plays at the same time as the main melody and has equal prominence.
Keywords
Trill - a type of ornamentation based on alternating rapidly between two notes
Mordent - a type of ornamentation that creates the effect of a short trill
Grace note - a very fast note that plays just before a main melodic note: it is sometimes referred to as an acciaccatura
Imitation - a melodic device in which part of the melody is copied immediately in another part
Countermelody - a second melody that plays at the same time as the main melody
Common misconception
Imitation and a countermelody are the same thing.
They are related, but not the same. Imitation has to include copying part of the melody, normally immediately. A countermelody usually tries to contrast with the main melody so that it can be heard clearly separately.
Teacher tip
While many of the ornaments are most often studied in relation to baroque and classical music, we hear examples of them in many other styles. Further listening, particularly to baroque and classical music, will provide a good opportunity for pupils to explicitly practise identifying ornaments.
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